Region to woo Defence with training site, Australian-owned port and airport

Central to Defence Working Group outlines pitch for larger Defence presence in central QueenslandJBy Jasmine HinesABC CapricorniaTopic:Defence Forces5m ago5 minutes agoMon 16 Feb 2026 at 9:00pmMatt Burnett meeting with members of the Australian Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Task Group during a military exercise last year. (Supplied: Department of Defence, Michael Rogers)In short: Three central Queensland councils are pitching the region to Defence to invest in.It comes amid a push for Defence to prioritise northern Australia.What's next?The business case will be finalised later this year.abc.net.au/news/defence-push-invest-central-qld-councils/106343496Link copiedShareShare articleA region in Queensland with one of the nation's largest military training sites and a deepwater port is pitching itself to become a major new Defence hub.A working group, which includes the councils of Rockhampton, Livingstone and Gladstone, has outlined potential investments the Australian Defence Force could make in central Queensland."If you see what defence has done for Darwin or Townsville or other major cities where there's a big defence presence, what that can do for our local economy here is huge," Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett said.The Central to Defence Working Group argued its region was ideal for a larger defence presence because of its position in northern Australia, and proximity to Defence's Shoalwater Bay Training Area, along with a deepwater port and airport.A Central to Defence town hall held in Rockhampton recently. (Supplied: Rockhampton Regional Council)The Queensland government has put forward $1 million for the business case, expected to be completed later this year.The pitchThe working group has five investment proposals for Defence.They include a logistics hub to maintain and repair machinery and short-term accommodation for Defence personnel during exercises and ahead of deployment.The Central to Defence Working Group believes the region has a number of assets that would benefit Defence. (Supplied: Central to Defence)A medical and rescue centre is also part of the proposal, along with an uncrewed systems hub to expand Defence's technology capabilities.Uncrewed systems can include drones, aircraft or other vehicles which can be operated from afar.The region is also pitching for an increased navy presence in Gladstone because of its deepwater port."It's not just about having boots on the ground," Mr Burnett said."It's about that industry that can support Defence as well."An Australian Army Abrams main battle tank and armoured recovery vehicle being lifted at the Gladstone Port last year. Both were on their way to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. (Supplied: Department of Defence, Joanne Leca)A spokesperson for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) said it was investing in a range of projects across northern Australia aimed at improving national resilience."National resilience includes ensuring civil society and critical infrastructure can support ADF requirements, including the ADF's northern bases and supporting roads, rail, ports and telecommunications," the spokesperson said."Defence continues to consider projects and investments that support these objectives."The ADF said it remained committed to maximising economic benefits for central Queensland, with ongoing opportunities for businesses in logistics, maintenance, administrative and transport support.Proponents argue the Rockhampton Airport already has experience handling Defence aircraft. (Supplied: Department of Defence)Proposal 'sensible', expert saysThis month, Defence announced it would let go of 67 properties after an audit of its estate. David Andrews says the working group's proposal is "sensible". (Supplied: David Andrews)The audit was in response to 2023 strategic review that found Australia needed to strengthen its northern bases.David Andrews from the Australian National University's National Security College said selling properties would reduce operating costs and give Defence some capital, allowing it to reinvest in sites like Shoalwater Bay."[Shoalwater Bay] it's hugely important to Defence's ability to train and prepare itself for combat operations, as well as doing so with our allies and partners, whether that's the US, or Singapore or Japan," he said."It's a really unique piece of defence infrastructure … and is one that is of immense value, so trying to take advantage of that importance and trying to build on that seems like a very sensible approach."Australian and international personnel use Shoalwater Bay to train. (Supplied: Department of Defence, Janet Pan)He said amid rising global tensions, Shoalwater Bay would be increasingly used in the years ahead.He said the defence estate audit was also investigating options for public-private partnerships and using existing civilian facilities.Mr Andrews said the concept of the Port of Gladstone being Austral